Tom Newell will seek another term as the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s Area F director in this fall’s local election.
Newell was first elected in 2014 and was acclaimed in 2018 and 2022. He announced his candidacy Thursday and said it was an easy decision.
“As I’ve looked forward to the next four years, I thought I really would like to keep working with the people I’m working with and just keep supporting Area F and the RDCK in any way that I can,” Newell said.
He said it ultimately came down to whether he could fully commit to another four years.
“I super enjoy the job. When I finally decided, it was like, ‘Yes, I can commit to four years.’”
Looking back on his time on the board, Newell pointed to several projects and initiatives he considers accomplishments.
At the regional level, he said the board has continued to fine-tune its procedures and policies while taking on major projects, including the RDCK’s organics program.
The RDCK operates organic waste diversion programs and began implementing new organic waste disposal regulations for industrial, commercial and institutional operations in 2026.
Newell said the program took several years to bring to fruition and represents a significant step forward in waste management.
“To finally be able to say, ‘We have organics recycling available for our citizens,’ that was a big step,” he said.
He also highlighted the RDCK’s work on asset management plans for regional facilities.
“We’re really moving in a positive direction to create really solid asset management plans for all of our regional assets.”
He pointed to upgrades at the Beasley and North Shore fire halls, where he said he was able to secure significant funding to improve the buildings and ensure they can continue serving their communities for decades.
“And we’re doing that the same with the community complex in Nelson here” added Newell.
Newell said asset management, work on the fire halls and the organics program are among the major initiatives he feels he has been part of during his time as a director.
He expects asset management will continue to be a major challenge and opportunity for the RDCK. He’d also like to see more support for the hundreds of small water systems throughout the regional district.
“We have hundreds of small water systems that are 100 per cent reliable on the users of it without access to support from outside sources. And so we’re working at the RD to find ways to support these small systems.”
The RDCK rescinded its long-standing moratorium on acquiring water and wastewater systems in July 2024 and adopted an acquisition plan intended to provide long-term solutions for small water systems.
Newell said two or three systems are currently in the process of potentially transitioning to RDCK ownership.
He said that could provide a significant benefit to the volunteers who currently operate those systems.
“That will be a real benefit for the volunteers running these systems,” Newell said.
He also identified fire protection as another priority, including ensuring communities have the required funds for major purchases.
“Getting all the money in place for ensuring the new fire engines and that kind of thing are in place so that we don’t end up with a shock burden on taxpayers when all of a sudden a major purchase like that has to happen is certainly one of the big areas.”
If re-elected, Newell said he also wants to continue supporting community organizations and volunteer groups throughout Area F.
He pointed to Area F’s contribution to new tennis courts at L.V. Rogers Secondary School and an upcoming reconstruction project on the Sproat Creek Trail System. Three bridges on the trail system are expected to be replaced beginning in the coming weeks.
“These are just examples of how we’ve been able to work with the community,” said Newell.
He also highlighted continued financial support for the Taghum Hall Society, saying he has worked to help the society maintain a vibrant community hall.
He said those projects are examples of what can happen when the regional district works alongside local organizations.
“I’ve found ways to support community organizations, societies, volunteer organizations to just help them in my own little way to function in our area, and I’d like to keep doing that and keep building those kind of relationships that we’ve been successful in doing over the last twelve years.”
Newell has lived in the area for nearly 37 years, moving to the region in September 1989.
Before entering local politics, he worked as a teacher for 25 years and spent the final 10 years of his teaching career as president of the Nelson and District Teachers Association.
He retired from teaching and the association presidency in 2013 before being elected as Area F director the following year.
Newell joins several other incumbent RDCK directors who have confirmed they will seek re-election in October, including Area A’s Garry Jackman, Area B’s Roger Tierney, Area C’s Kelly Vandenberghe, Area D’s Aimee Watson and Area I’s Andy Davidoff.
Area E Director Cheryl Graham has announced she will not seek another term, while Area H Director Walter Popoff remains undecided.
The official nomination period for the 2026 local government election runs from Sept. 1 to Sept. 11. The local election is on Oct. 17.
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